Considering the detrimental effects of salt stress on the physiological mechanisms of plants in terms of growth, development and productivity, intensive efforts are underway to improve plant tolerance to salinity. Hence, an experiment was conducted to assess the impact of the foliar application of salicylic acid (SA; 0.5 mM) on the physiological traits of fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.) plants grown under three salt concentrations (0, 75, and 150 mM NaCl). An increase in salt concentration generated a decrease in the chlorophyll content index (CCI); however, the foliar application of SA boosted the CCI. The malondialdehyde content increased in salt-stressed fenugreek plants, while a reduction in content was observed with SA. Likewise, SA application induced an accumulation of proline, total phenolics, and flavonoids. Moreover, further increases in total free amino acids and shikimic acid were observed with the foliar application of SA, in either control or salt-treated plants. Similar results were obtained for ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and catalase with SA application. Hence, we concluded that the foliar application of SA ameliorates salinity, and it is a growth regulator that improves the tolerance of fenugreek plants under salt stress.
Keywords: antioxidant enzymes; fenugreek; flavonoids; phenolics; proline; salicylic acid; salt stress; shikimic acid.